Light In The Dark - Blog Posts

Adelaide,… How do you like your nickname?

Light in the Dark(aka the Beauty and the Beast AU that no one asked for) Ch1

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a young prince lived in a shining castle. Although he had everything his heart desired, the prince was spoiled, selfish, and unkind. But then, one winter’s night, an old beggar woman came to the castle and offered him a single rose in return for shelter from the bitter cold. Repulsed by her haggard appearance, the prince sneered at the gift and turned the old woman away. But she warned him not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within. And when he dismissed her again, the old woman’s ugliness melted away to reveal a beautiful enchantress. The prince tried to apologize, but it was too late, for she had seen that there was no love in his heart. And as punishment, she transformed him into a hideous beast and placed a powerful spell on the castle and all who lived there. Ashamed of his monstrous form, the beast concealed himself inside his castle, with a magic mirror as his only window to the outside world. The rose she had offered was truly an enchanted rose, which would bloom until his 21st year. If he could learn to love another, and earn her love in return by the time the last petal fell, then the spell would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to remain a beast for all time. As the years passed, he fell into despair and lost all hope. For who could ever learn to love a beast?

Carlos liked his life. Well it was alright. He had structure. He always knew what to expect.  Day after day, year after year. The only upside to his year was the medical convention that was held in a two that was a two day’s ride away. He always looked forward to it. A meeting of minds in a way. Carlos had grown bored of the repetition. Yes, it was safe; but it was so...boring. He wasn’t getting excited about his work anymore. He wished for a spark of excitement. Just a taste really. The convention is fast approaching, three days time. He liked to get there a day early so he could get a good room at the inn, as it filled up quickly. Today was the day that he set out. Packing didn’t take long,as Carlos didn’t have a lot of material possessions. Soon enough, he was on the road and heading down the familiar past.

The trip is uneventful for the first third of the way there. Then came the forest. A forest that had never been there before. Either that or he just never really payed attention. Sighing, Carlos clicks his tongue to urge his horse onward. There wasn’t another way into town so into the mysterious forest it was.

The forest wasn’t to bad at first, but the deeper he got, the darker it became. The trees were bare and there was likely bats in some of them.

It started to rain and that was just his luck, wasn’t it? He kept going for a while but as it was getting dark, the rain picked up. There was no way that he was going to get through this storm tonight. He needed to find shelter. He looks around, seeing a building looming in the distance. Carlos hoped that whomever lived there would be kind enough to let him wait out the storm.

When he gets close to the building, Carlos realized it was a castle. An old falling apart castle, but a castle nonetheless. It looked abandoned so hopefully it was. Carlos trekked up to the door, tying the horse to a tree. He slowly makes his way to the heavy oak doors and push them open. They creak loudly and Carlos winces.

“Hello?” He calls, hearing the echo.

Cecil watches the stranger approach, legs crossed as he held himself up on a group of tentacles. He had been asleep but hus ever awake third eye sensed the new comer. It had woken him. What did this human want? Was he a spy? Was he an idiot who sought to slaughter the mythical beast? Humans were idiotic. Cecil moved forward a bit, slithering across the ceiling like a spider. He caught a glimpse of brown hair and a stark white coat. Interesting….. He would wait and see what happens before deciding to strike.

Carlos slowly walks around the cold dark room. The building was beautiful, even after it had been weathered away by rain and wind. The stones were smooth but cracked. There was a rose carved in every other stone. Delicately done. He moves on to the next room. It was once a beautiful ballroom. Carlos moves across the floor, his shoes echoing off the tile. He stands in the middle of the floor and looks around.

Cecil crouches in the rafters, getting a better look at the man. He was tall and had a square jaw. It was a beautiful man. Then he hears movement, drawing his eyes across the room. It was that blasted candlestick. He cursed. That thing was always causing problems. Before anything could come of it, Cecil drops down, raising to his full height, tentacles spreading around him.

Carlos hears scraping and turns to see a…. candelabra? Coming towards him.

“What…?” He makes his way over and kneels. The candle lights on it’s own.

“Hello!” The candle has a gentle feminine voice.

Carlos was about to answer when he hears a loud thud behind him. He jumps up, spooked. He turns around quickly. His eyes widen behind his glasses. The man-no. Not a man. The creature was humanoid, with white hair and-as much as Carlos hated to admit it- beautiful violet eyes. His pale skin was decorated with light purple tattoos of tentacles that moved across his skin. In the middle of his forehead was a third eye. But it wasn’t a normal eye. This one glowed dangerously. Carlos took a step back nervously and got a full view of the man. He wasn’t standing on the floor. He was being held up by a swarm of black and purple tentacles. It was horrifying and beautiful at the same time.

“So.” The man’s voice was smooth like honey, deep and mesmerising. “You’re the mortal dumb enough to enter the Beast’s lair.”

“What-” Carlos takes another step back, feeling the urge to run away but had the feeling that he wouldn’t get far. “I was just looking for a place to stay out of the rain.” He forces out.

“So you decided to trespass?” The man crosses his right leg over his left as if he were sitting at a desk, and clasped his hands.

“In my defense, it is pretty run down so I assumed it was empty.” Carlos protests.

One of the tentacles shot out and wraps around his body, pinning his arms to his sides. It squeezes a little and Carlos lets out a noise of shock as he is jerked into the air, his glasses falling off of his face.

“Do you know what happens to those who don't follow the rules Peanut?”

“My name is Carlos.” Carlos says, groaning in pain as his body is squeezed. The appendage probably could pop his head off.

“I. Don't. Care.” The man growls, letting go and causing Carlos to fall onto the tile, hitting his head. He looks up as the man looms over him.

“If you're going to kill me you might as well get it over with.” Carlos says, not moving. His head was pounding from where he hit it but he wasn't going to die with his eyes closed.

“I'm not going to kill you.” The hesitation in the man's voice confused Carlos. “I'm not a monster.” He seemed to be having an argument with himself, Carlos thought.

“Then what are you going to do with me?”

The man leaned down and Carlos jerked back on instinct, hitting his head again. He cursed under his breath. “You are going to be a prisoner. That is what happens when you trespass.”

“I think I'd rather you kill me.” Carlos says, narrowing his eyes. He feels something wrap around his wrists and looks down. A smaller tentacle was holding his hands together. Although it was smaller, it was just as strong as the others. He could feel it biting in to his skin. There would definitely be a bruise later. “Let me go!” He demands. Yet another tentacle slapped over his mouth.

“You talk to much.” The man retorts and was suddenly standing upright. Carlos was pulled up and off the floor by his hands. They left the ballroom and started up a winding staircase. A tower maybe?

Carlos was thrown into a room with a high window. He rubs his wrists,glaring at the monster.

“How long are you going to keep me here?”

“Forever.” The man answers nonchalantly.

“If I'm to be stuck here what am I supposed to call you? Or does Monster suffice?”

The man's eyes flash bright. “ I am not a monster .” He snarls.

Carlos gazes at him. “Are you trying to convince me or yourself?”